A young child in a yellow striped shirt climbing on a wooden play structure in a sunny backyard.

38 Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

These are the best gifts for 1-year-olds, recommended by parents of little ones! Many of these are Christmas or 1st birthday gift ideas that 1-year-olds can enjoy for years. Find more ideas for open-ended toys to delight your increasingly curious and mobile tot on our lists for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds, too.

What makes Upparent gift lists unique? The baby gift ideas for 1-year-olds that you see here are submitted by regular parents in our community. You won't find a one-size-fits-all list compiled by an editor, or recommendations that seem legit but are actually paid for by brands. We're just sharing the toys and gifts that our 1-year-olds have gotten and loved, that we've discovered and are excited to give, or that are on the wish list. Help us build a list of must-have gifts for 1-year-olds by adding your picks and reviews below!


 
    amzn.to

    Wooden Wobble Balance Board

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    Jaclyn Keifer said:  The classic Waldorf balance rocker reimagined! The Wobble stimulates balance and poise. It invites movement for young and old—and for everyone in between. Get fit while playing together! But it's so much more: a bridge; a shop; a fort; a seat; an elephant's back; a slide; and so much more!

    amazon.com

    Cloud b Twilight Turtle

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    Nancy L. said:  This nightlight projects a complete starry night sky onto the walls and ceiling. Choose from three soothing color options to create a magical, tranquil environment. There is a 45-minute timer to ensure complete darkness during your child’s deep sleep.

    amzn.to

    HABA Basic Building Blocks Set

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    Alexandra F. said:  I cannot say enough good things about HABA block sets. We just got one as a gift for our 3-year-old and are all in love. The blocks are the perfect weight and size to make them easy for little ones to stack without a lot of accidental toppling over, but not so heavy that they hurt when they do topple down. I love that the wood is wonderfully smooth and very natural, so I am totally comfortable letting our 7-month-old gnaw on them while we play. I wish we had gotten these sooner and foresee years of good use ahead - even for grandkids waaaaaay down the line!

    amzn.to

    Crayola Palm-Grasp Crayons

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    Kate Wille Murray said:  Terrific for little hands working on both large and small motor skills. Holds up to toddler drops. Easy to get color on paper.

    amzn.to

    VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

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    Stephanie W. said:  Whether your 1-year-old has been walking for months or still doesn't quite have the hang of it (like mine was at 12 months!) this learning walker is a great tool! Your little one can push around the walker, and play with the removable play piece on the front. It makes barn animal sounds, sings songs, and encourages interactive play. My daughter loves listening to and interacting with the different parts- she especially loves the phone and the cow that says, "Moo!"

    pinholepress.com

    Pinhole Press Custom Board Book of Names & Faces

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    Kelly R said:  Create your own board book through Pinhole Press with up to 21 photos and bold text. The theme possibilities are endless, but I love this as a way to present photos and names of family members and pets!

    amzn.to

    Green Toys Dump Truck

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    Kelly R said:  Green Toys' recycled plastic toys are durable and environmentally-friendly, and wonderful for years of creative play. This working dump truck is a perfect toy for the playroom and sandbox alike.

    addapearl.com

    Cultured Pearl Starter Necklace

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    Sarah Calamita said:  One year olds have so many toys (and honestly can be amused with a box and pans!) so I like to give a non-toy gift for this special birthday. An add a pearl necklace is a great idea. Reach out to your favorite jeweler and purchase a chain with one pearl and gift one pearl every year on their birthday. When they are old enough to care, they will have a full pearl necklace full of memories.

Primary photo:   Alexander Dummer on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.